Celebrating the Amazigh New Year in Morocco: Traditions, Music, Stories, Feasts, and more!
As the calendar turns to the Amazigh New Year, known as Yennayer, Morocco comes alive with a celebration of its ancient roots and vibrant traditions. This year (2026) the Amazigh calendar marks the year 2976. This annual event, held between January 12-14, marks the...
Inside Fez’s Historic Dar Batha Museum
Arts and history enthusiasts shouldn’t leave Fez without spending time inside the Musée Batha, one of Morocco’s most important museums of traditional arts. The museum occupies a 19th-century Andalusian-Arab palace that Sultan Moulay Hassan I commissioned, and both he...
8 Essential Places in Fez’s Ancient Medina + Practical Tips
In Morocco’s most storied city, history isn’t a place you visit; it’s a texture you feel on the fingertips, a cadence you carry as you walk. On my first morning in Fez, the light arrived like a blessing—thin and silver at first, then honeyed as it slipped down...
The Anou – Fair Trade Finally Reaches Morocco!
Tucked into the valleys of the High Atlas, the Amazigh tribes of Morocco make their homes and live in much the same way they have for generations. Agriculture and traditional trades are the way people survive here but like the rest of the country, they too have seen...
Why You’ll Never Stay at a Hilton with Journey Beyond Travel — and Why That’s a Good Thing
We came to Marrakesh for our kids’ fall school break. After a busy few months in Tangier, we wanted a week to unwind, splash, and let the kids burn energy in the sunshine. Both of our children are little fish — happiest piloting around in the water — so we looked for...
Your Moroccan Hammam Checklist
Before you even enter a public hammam you’ll need to do a bit of shopping. Hammams are a BYO-soap affair, and most of the essentials can be picked up in the little corner shops around the old medinas in every major city. Many items are sold in single-use packs,...
What to Wear in Morocco: A Moroccan Woman’s Guide to Respectful & Sustainable Travel
What should I wear?” – I often get this question from travelers coming to Morocco, particularly women, wondering what to wear in Morocco. While the country does not have a dress code, it is always a good thing to understand the culture before packing your suitcase....
Visiting Morocco During Ramadan
Ramadan is the month-long Islamic holiday celebrated each year. The Islamic calendar follows a lunar pattern so every year Ramadan moves 10 days back on the Gregorian calendar each year. This year, Ramadan falls from about mid-February to mid-March (February 17th or...
A Moroccan’s Guide to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
For much of the world outside Morocco, Casablanca brings to mind Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and all that classic bygone era of noir romance. But as a Moroccan, Casablanca is the beating heart of our nation, a city full of energy and ambition. And somewhere in...
Driving in Morocco
Here are the most common questions we receive about driving in Morocco: A: Is driving in Morocco is safe? B: Are the roads good? C: Do you need an international driver’s license? D: Is it possible to rent a good car. In short, the answers key is as follows: A: For the...
Awakened to Islam in Morocco
Our first blog post, written by Chris Hamilton, was published in May of 2012 and it still rings true all these years later! Read how Chris finally became acquainted with a not-so-distant culture and its religious customs in this heart-felt tale about Morocco. Taking a...
Journey Beyond Travel’s Morocco Gift Guide
The souks of Morocco are chock full of the perfect gifts for your special someone. Whether you’re looking for something small for a stocking stuffer or something a bit larger to toss into Santa’s sleigh, the likelihood of you making a big holiday splash with unique,...
Your Phone in Morocco: Keep Connected with a Local SIM Card
Now, more than ever, it’s easy to stay connected with your loved ones back home while you’re traveling to Morocco. Sporting a very robust network, with 5g and 4g cellular capability in major cities as well as much of the countryside, you should have no...
Gardens of Morocco: Taking a Stroll through Tangier’s Donabo Gardens
While many a tourist and traveler to Tangier spend their time immersed in the medina and navigating the kasbah – if fresh air and flora is your thing, there are some wonderful outdoor spaces to explore. One of these pockets of nature is Donabo Botanical Gardens,...
Erg Chigaga: Into The Wild Sahara
I was too ambitious with the day. With Lahsen, my friend and driver, I had hiked to the top of Mount Zagore and back down to Zagora. Afterward I fingered the deep green pottery of Tamegroute and lingered in the mudwalled ksar of Amezrou, breathing in history. It was...
Your Guide to the Morocco High Speed Train: The Al-Boraq
A train ride through Morocco has been a rustically romantic affair on the bucket list of most travelers since the days of the famed Marrakesh Express chugged south from Tangier in the 60s, carry with it the hopes, dreams, and music of the hippy era. The Marrakesh...
The Moroccan Hammam Unveiled: Rituals, Etiquette, and Insider Tips
Public baths are an integral part of life in Morocco. On any given day you might see a group of women gathering outside the neighborhood hammam, a small plastic stool and bucket in hand. The hammams in Morocco come with their own set of unspoken rules, which for...
Birdwatching Paradise in Morocco
Setting on the North African coast, Morocco is on the super high fly way of birds traveling by way from Africa to Europe and back again. One can see everything from sea-dwelling birds to Desert Sparrows. However, the best times for avian observation are the spring and...
The Influence of Morocco on Dune by Frank Herbert: A Journey Through Culture, Geography, and Imagination
Frank Herbert’s science fiction masterpiece, Dune, first published in 1965, is a monumental work in the genre, captivating readers over the years with its intricate plot, richly imagined universe, and profound themes. At least, it captured my imagination when I...Traveling During Eid al-Adha (Eid el-Kbir) in Morocco
By far, Eid al-Adha is the most important holiday for Muslims around the world. It occurs two lunar months after the end of Ramadan. Confusingly, Eid al-Adha called by many different names. Eid el-Kbir (often spelled “Eid el-Kbeer, “Aid al-Kébir” and other variations)...
6 Beautiful Moroccan Coastal Towns to Visit
Morocco isn’t just winding souks and desert dunes: it’s also 1,200 miles of coastline running along the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Along the coast, charming harbors, busy fishing ports and picturesque beach towns abound – they’re just as...
The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Morocco Travel
Morocco is probably one of the most kid-friendly countries I have ever travelled. As soon as I started taking trains, buses, taxis and visiting the souks with my kid, an entirely different country opened up before my eyes. I hate to stereotype, but it really does seem...
Fez: UNESCO World Heritage Series
Fez, one of Morocco’s most enchanting cities, is a treasure trove of cultural heritage. Steeped in history and boasting a rich tapestry of architectural wonders, Fez has been recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional universal value as early as 1981. For amateurs...
Essaouira: UNESCO World Heritage Series
Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, boasts a history as vibrant as its striking blue and white architecture. This coastal jewel has witnessed civilizations come and go, each leaving their mark on its character. With a wide array of cultures and experiences in a very...
Movie Locations in Morocco: A Tour
Morocco is a land of mountains, deserts, medieval cities, roman ruins and more than a few familiar movie locations. Thinking about Morocco and film undoubtedly conjures up images of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the 1942 American classic, Casablanca....
El Jadida: UNESCO World Heritage Series
As I stepped foot on the sun-kissed shores of El Jadida, a Moroccan coastal city steeped in history, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. This hidden gem, with its blend of Portuguese and Moroccan influences, promised to unveil a world of mesmerizing...
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Morocco
Morocco is home to an impressive 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites! These sites are dotted throughout the country, from expected places like Marrakesh and Fez, to Tetouan, a relatively untouristed northern city, and on to the desert lands of the Sahara. If you are a lover...
Rabat: UNESCO World Heritage Series
Rabat is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites that showcase the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage. These landmarks are an absolute must for anyone who wishes to visit the city and explore what makes it so special. For amateurs of history,...
Street Food in Morocco: What You Can Eat on the Street Around the Country
Morocco is a country that offers visitors an authentic culinary experience, where they can taste the richness of the country’s history and culture. A great way to explore the local food scene is to hit the streets and indulge in the vast array of street food....Morocco Travel Guides
Favorite Morocco Guidebooks
Written and photographed by JBT Director, Lucas Peters, the 3rd edition of Moon Morocco is a detailed, full-colored country guidebook. Guaranteed to inspire travel lust, this edition is a wonderful companion for you while you’re in the planning stages or already in-country.
The 1st edition of Marrakesh & Beyond is a handy pocket-sized traveler. A complimentary guidebook to Moon Morocco, this guide dives deeper into the mysterious souks of the famed “Red City.” With a detailed shopping guide, handy fold-out map, and itineraries for day-tripping from Marrakesh, Lucas brings us another great resource for Morocco!